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Subpart A—Iron Ore Subcategory

§440.10 Applicability; description of the iron ore subcategory.

The provisions of this subpart A are applicable to discharges from (a) mines operated to obtain iron ore, regardless of the type of ore or its mode of occurrence; (b) mills beneficiating iron ores by physical (magnetic and nonmagnetic) and/or chemical separation; and (c) mills beneficiating iron ores by magnetic and physical separation in the Mesabi Range.

§440.11 [Reserved]

§440.12 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part and 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart must achieve the following effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable after application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines operated to obtain iron ore shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

TSS

30

20

Fe (dissolved)

2.0

1.0

pH

(1)

(1)

1Within the range 6.0 to 9.0.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the concentration of pollutants discharged from mills that employ physical (magnetic and nonmagnetic) and/or chemical methods to beneficiate iron ore shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

TSS

30

20

Fe (dissolved)

2.0

1.0

pH

(1)

(1)

1Within the range 6.0 to 9.0.

(c)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, there shall be no discharge of process wastewater to navigable waters from mills that employ magnetic and physical methods to beneficiate iron ore in the Mesabi Range. The Agency recognizes that the elimination of the discharge of pollutants to navigable waters may result in an increase in discharges of some pollutants to other media. The Agency has considered these impacts and has addressed them in the preamble published on December 3, 1982.

(2) In the event that the annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility exceeds the annual evaporation, a volume of water equivalent to the difference between annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility and annual evaporation may be discharged subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.

§440.13 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part and 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart must achieve the following effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines operated to obtain iron ore shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

Fe (dissolved)

2.0

1.0

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section the concentration of pollutants discharged from mills that employ physical (magnetic and nonmagnetic) and/or chemical methods to beneficiate iron ore shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

Fe (dissolved)

2.0

1.0

(c)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, there shall be no discharge of process wastewater to navigable waters from mills that employ magnetic and physical methods to beneficiate iron ore in the Mesabi Range. The Agency recognizes that the elimination of the discharge of pollutants to navigable waters may result in an increase in discharges of some pollutants to other media. The Agency has considered these impacts and has addressed them in the preamble published on December 3, 1982.

(2) In the event that the annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility exceeds the annual evaporation, a volume of water equal to the difference between annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility and annual evaporation may be discharged subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.

§440.14 New source performance standards (NSPS).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part, any new source subject to this subpart must achieve the following NSPS representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by applying the best available demonstrated technology (BADT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines operated to obtain iron ore shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

Fe (dissolved)

2.0

1.0

pH

(1)

(1)

TSS

30.0

20.0

1Within the range of 6.0, to 9.0.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the concentration of pollutants discharged from mills that employ physical (magnetic and nonmagnetic) and/or chemical methods to beneficiate iron ore shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

Fe (dissolved)

2.0

1.0

pH

(1)

(1)

TSS

30.0

20.0

1Within the range of 6.0 to 9.0.

(c)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, there shall be no discharge of process wastewater to navigable waters from mills that employ magnetic and physical methods to beneficiate iron ore in the Mesabi Range. The Agency recognizes that the elimination of the discharge of pollutants to navigable waters may result in an increase in discharges of some pollutants to other media. The Agency has considered these impacts and has addressed them in the preamble published on December 3, 1982.

(2) In the event that the annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility exceeds the annual evaporation, a volume of water equal to the difference between annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility and annual evaporation may be discharged subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.

§440.20 Applicability; description of the aluminum ore subcategory.

§440.21 [Reserved]

§440.22 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part and 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing source subject to this subpart must achieve the following effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT). The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines producing bauxite ores shall not exceed:

§440.23 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part and 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart must achieve the following limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT). The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines producing bauxite ores shall not exceed:

§440.24 New Source performance standards (NSPS).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part, any new source subject to this subpart must achieve the following NSPS representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available demonstrated technology (BADT). The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines producting bauxite ores shall not exceed:

§440.25 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT). [Reserved]

Subpart C—Uranium, Radium and Vanadium Ores Subcategory

The provisions of this subpart C are applicable to discharges from (a) mines either open-pit or underground, from which uranium, radium and vanadium ores are produced; and (b) mills using the acid leach, alkaline leach, or combined acid and alkaline leach process for the extraction of uranium, radium and vanadium. Only vanadium byproduct production from uranium ores is covered under this subpart.

§440.31 [Reserved]

§440.32 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part and 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart must achieve the following effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable after application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines, either open-pit or underground, from which uranium, radium and vanadium ores are produced excluding mines using in-situ leach methods shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

TSS

30

20

COD

200

100

Zn

1.0

0.5

Ra2261 (dissolved)

10

3

Ra2261 (total)

30

10

U

4

2

pH

(2)

(2)

1Values in picocuries per liter (pCi/l).

2Within the range 6.0 to 9.0.

(b) The concentrations of pollutants discharged from mills using the acid leach, alkaline leach or combined acid and alkaline leach process for the extraction of uranium, radium and vanadium including mill-mine facilities and mines using in-situ leach methods shall not exceed:

§440.33 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part and 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart must achieve the following limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines, either open-pit or underground, that produce uranium ore, including mines using in-situ leach methods, shall not exceed:

§440.34 New source performance standards (NSPS).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part any new source subject to this subpart must achieve the following NSPS representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available demonstrated technology (BADT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines, either open-pit or underground, that produce uranium ore, excluding mines using in situ leach methods, shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

COD

200

100

Zn

1.0

0.5

Ra1226 (dissolved)

10.0

3.0

Ra1226 (total)

30.0

10.0

U

4.0

2.0

pH

(2)

(2)

TSS

30.0

20.0

1Values in picocuries per liter (pCi/l).

2Within the range 6.0 to 9.0.

(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, there shall be no discharge of process wastewater to navigable waters from mills using the acid leach, alkaline leach or combined acid and alkaline leach process for the extraction of uranium or from mines and mills using in situ leach methods. The Agency recognizes that the elimination of the discharge of pollutants to navigable waters may result in an increase in discharges of some pollutants to other media. The Agency has considered these impacts and has addressed them in the preamble published on December 3, 1982.

(2) In the event that the annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility exceeds the annual evaporation, a volume of water equivalent to the difference between annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility and annual evaporation may be discharged subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.

§440.35 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT). [Reserved]

Subpart D—Mercury Ore Subcategory

§440.40 Applicability; description of the mercury ore subcategory.

The provisions of subpart D are applicable to discharges from (a) mines, either open-pit or underground, that produce mercury ores; and (b) mills beneficiating mercury ores by gravity separation methods or by froth-flotation methods.

§440.41 [Reserved]

§440.42 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part and 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart must achieve the following effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable after application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines, either open-pit or underground, operated for the production of mercury ores shall not exceed the following limitations:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

TSS

30

20

Hg

.002

.001

Ni

.2

.1

pH

(1)

(1)

1Within the range 6.0 to 9.0.

(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, there shall be no discharge of process wastewater to navigable waters from mills beneficiating mercury ores by gravity separation methods or by froth flotation methods. The Agency recognizes that the elimination of the discharge of pollutants to navigable waters may result in an increase in discharges of some pollutants to other media. The Agency has considered these impacts and has addressed them in the preamble published on December 3, 1982.

(2) In the event that the annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility exceeds the annual evaporation, a volume of water equivalent to the difference between annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility and annual evaporation may be discharged subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

§440.43 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part and 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart must achieve the following limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines, either open pit or underground, that produce mercury ores shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

MIligrams per liter

Hg

0.002

0.001

(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, there shall be no discharge of process wastewater to navigable waters from mills beneficiating mercury ores by gravity separation methods or by froth-flotation methods. The Agency recognizes that the elimination of the discharge of pollutants to navigable waters may result in an increase in discharges of some pollutants to other media. The Agency has considered these impacts and has addressed them in the preamble published on December 3, 1982.

(2) In the event that the annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility exceeds the annual evaporation, a volume of water equal to the difference between annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility and annual evaporation may be discharged subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.

§440.44 New source performance standards (NSPS).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part any new source subject to this subpart must achieve the following NSPS representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available demonstrated technology (BADT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines, either open pit or underground, that produce mercury ores shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

Hg

0.002

0.001

pH

(1)

(1)

TSS

30.0

20.0

1Within the range of 6.0 to 9.0.

(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, there shall be no discharge of process wastewater to navigable waters from mills beneficiating mercury ores by gravity separation methods or by froth-flotation methods. The Agency recognizes that the elimination of the discharge of pollutants to navigable waters may result in an increase in discharges of some pollutants to other media. The Agency has considered these impacts and has addressed them in the preamble published on December 3, 1982.

(2) In the event that the annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility exceeds the annual evaporation, a volume of water equal to the difference between annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility and annual evaporation may be discharged subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.

§440.45 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT). [Reserved]

Subpart E—Titanium Ore Subcategory

§440.50 Applicability; description of the titanium ore subcategory.

The provisions of this subpart E are applicable to discharges from (a) mines obtaining titanium ores from lode deposits; (b) mills beneficiating titanium ores by electrostatic methods, magnetic and physical methods, or flotation methods; and (c) mines engaged in the dredge mining of placer deposits of sands containing rutile, ilmenite, leucoxene, monazite, zircon, and other heavy metals, and the milling techniques employed in conjunction with the dredge mining activity (milling techniques employed include the use of wet gravity methods in conjunction with electrostatic or magnetic methods).

§440.51 [Reserved]

§440.52 Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part and 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart must achieve the following effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable after application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines obtaining titanium ores from lode deposits shall not exceed:

(c) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines engaged in the dredge mining of placer deposits of sands containing rutile, ilmenite, leucoxene, monazite, zircon, or other heavy metals, and the milling techniques employed in conjunction with the dredge mining activity (milling techniques employed include the use of wet gravity methods in conjunction with electrostatic or magnetic methods) shall not exceed:

§440.53 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part and 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart must achieve the following limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines obtaining titanium ores from lode deposits shall not exceed:

(c) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines engaged in the dredge mining of placer deposits of sands containing rutile, ilmenite, leucoxene, monazite, or zircon and the milling techniques employed in conjunction with the dredge mining activity (milling techniques employed include the use of wet gravity methods in conjunction with electrostatic or magnetic methods) shall not exceed:

§440.54 New source performance standards (NSPS).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part any new source subject to this subpart must achieve the following NSPS representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the applications of the best available demonstrated technology (BADT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines obtaining titanium ores from lode deposits shall not exceed:

(c) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines engaged in the dredge mining of placer deposits of sands containing rutile, ilmenite, leucoxene, monazite, zircon and the milling techniques employed in conjunction with the dredge mining activity (milling techniques employed include the use of wet gravity methods in conjunction with electrostatic or magnetic methods) shall not exceed:

§440.55 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT). [Reserved]

Subpart F—Tungsten Ore Subcategory

§440.60 Applicability; description of the tungsten ore subcategory.

The provisions of this subpart F are applicable to discharges from (a) mines that produce tungsten ore and (b) mills that process tungsten ore by either the gravity separation or froth-flotation methods.

§440.61 [Reserved]

§440.62 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part and 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart must achieve the following effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines producing 5000 metric tons (5512 short tons) or more of tungsten bearing ores per year shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

TSS

30

20

Cd

.10

.05

Cu

.3

.15

Zn

1.0

.5

Pb

.6

.3

As

1.0

.5

pH

(1)

(1)

1Within the range 6.0 to 9.0.

(b) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines producing less than 5000 metric tons (5512 short tons) or discharged from mills processing less than 5000 metric tons (5512 short tons) of tungsten ores per year by methods other than ore leaching shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

TSS

50

30

pH

(1)

(1)

1Within the range 6.0 to 9.0.

(c) The concentration of pollutants discharged from mills processing 5000 metric tons (5512 short tons) or more of tungsten ores per year by purely physical methods including ore crushing, washing, jigging, heavy media separation, and magnetic and electrostatic separation shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

TSS

30

20

Cd

.10

.05

Cu

.30

.15

Zn

1.0

.5

As

1.0

.5

pH

(1)

(1)

1Within the range 6.0 to 9.0.

(d) The concentration of pollutants discharged from mills processing 5000 metric tons (5512 short tons) or more of tungsten ores per year by froth flotation methods shall not exceed:

§440.63 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part and 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart must achieve the following limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from tungsten mines shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

Cd

0.10

0.05

Cu

0.30

0.15

Zn

1.0

0.5

(b) The concentration of pollutants discharged from mills shall not exceed:

§440.64 New source performance standards (NSPS).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part any new source subject to this subpart must achieve the following NSPS representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available demonstrated technology (BADT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from tungsten mines shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

Cd

0.10

0.05

Cu

0.30

0.15

Zn

1.0

0.5

pH

(1)

(1)

TSS

30.0

20.0

1Within the range of 6.0 to 9.0.

(b) The concentration of pollutants discharged from mills shall not exceed:

§440.70 Applicability; description of the nickel ore subcategory.

§440.71 [Reserved]

§440.72 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part and 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart must achieve the following effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines producing 5000 metric tons (5512 short tons) or more of nickel bearing ores per year shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

TSS

30

20

Cd

.10

.05

Cu

.3

.15

Zn

1.0

.5

Pb

.6

.3

As

1.0

.5

pH

(1)

(1)

1Within the range 6.0 to 9.0.

(b) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines producing less than 5,000 metric tons (5,512 short tons) or discharged from mills processing less than 5,000 metric tons (5,512 short tons) of nickel ores per year by methods other than ore leaching shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

TSS

50

30

pH

(1)

(1)

1Within the range 6.0 to 9.0.

(c) The concentration of pollutants discharged from mills processing 5,000 metric tons (5,512 short tons) or more of nickel ores per year by purely physical methods including ore crushing, washing, jigging, heavy media separation and magnetic and electrostatic separation shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

TSS

30

20

Cd

.10

.05

Cu

.30

.15

Zn

1.0

.5

As

1.0

.5

pH

(1)

(1)

1Within the range 6.0 to 9.0

(d) The concentration of pollutants discharged from mills processing 5,000 metric tons (5,512 short tons) or more of nickel ore per year by froth flotation methods shall not exceed:

§440.75 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT). [Reserved]

Subpart H—Vanadium Ore Subcategory (Mined Alone and Not as a Byproduct)

§440.80 Applicability; description of the vanadium ore subcategory.

The provisions of this subpart H are applicable to discharges from (a) mines that produce vanadium ore (recovered alone and not as a by-product of uranium mining and mills) and (b) mills that process vanadium ore (recovered alone, not as a byproduct of uranium mining and mills).

§440.81 [Reserved]

§440.82 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part and 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart must achieve the following effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines producing 5,000 metric tons (5,512 short tons) or more of vanadium bearing ores per year shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

TSS

30

20

Cd

.10

.05

Cu

.3

.15

Zn

1.0

.5

Pb

.6

.3

As

1.0

.5

pH

(1)

(1)

1Within the range 6.0 to 9.0.

(b) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines producing less than 5,000 metric tons (5,512 short tons) or discharged from mills processing less than 5,000 metric tons (5,512 short tons) of vanadium ore per year by methods other than ore leaching shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

TSS

50

30

pH

(1)

(1)

1Within the range 6.0 to 9.0.

(c) The concentration of pollutants discharged from mills processing 5,000 metric tons (5,512 short tons) or more of vanadium ores per year by purely physical methods including ore crushing, washing, jigging, heavy media separation, and magnetic and electrostatic separation shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

TSS

30

20

Cd

.10

.05

Cu

.30

.15

Zn

1.0

.5

As

1.0

.5

pH

(1)

(1)

1Within the range 6.0 to 9.0.

(d) The concentration of pollutants discharged from mills processing 5,000 metric tons (5,512 short tons) or more of vanadium ores per year by froth flotation methods shall not exceed:

(a) The provisions of this subpart J are applicable to discharges from—

(1) Mines that produce copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, or molybdenum bearing ores, or any combination of these ores from open-pit or underground operations other than placer deposits;

(2) Mills that use the froth-flotation process alone or in conjunction with other processes, for the beneficiation of copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, or molybdenum ores, or any combination of these ores;

(3) Mines and mills that use dump, heap, in-situ leach, or vat-leach processes to extract copper from ores or ore waste materials; and

(4) Mills that use the cyanidation process to extract gold or silver.

(b) Discharge from mines or mines and mills that use gravity separation methods (including placer or dredge mining or concentrating operations, and hydraulic mining operations) to extract gold ores are regulated under subpart M.

(c) Discharge from mines (including placer or dredge mining, and hydraulic mining operations) or mines and mills that use gravity separation methods to extract silver from placer ores are not covered under this part.

(d) The provisions of this subpart shall not apply to discharges from the Quartz Hill Molybdenum Project in the Tongass National Forest, Alaska.

§440.101 [Reserved]

§440.102 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology (BPT).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part and 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart must achieve the following effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines operated to obtain copper bearing ores, lead bearing ores, zinc bearing ores, gold bearing ores, or silver bearing ores, or any combination of these ores open-pit or underground operations other than placer deposits shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

TSS

30

20

Cu

.30

.15

Zn

1.5

.75

Pb

.6

.3

Hg

.002

.001

pH

(1)

(1)

1Within the range 6.0 to 9.0.

(b) The concentration of pollutants discharged from mills which employ the froth flotation process alone or in conjunction with other processes, for the beneficiation of copper ores, lead ores, zinc ores, gold ores, or silver ores, or any combination of these ores shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

TSS

30

20

Cu

.30

.15

Zn

1.0

.5

Pb

.6

.3

Hg

.002

.001

Cd

.10

.05

pH

(1)

(1)

1Within the range 6.0 to 9.0.

(c)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, there shall be no discharge of process wastewater to navigable water from mines and mills which employ dump, heap, in situ leach or vat leach processes for the extraction of copper from ores or ore waste materials. The Agency recognizes that the elimination of the discharge of pollutants to navigable waters may result in an increase in discharges of some pollutants to other media. The Agency has considered these impacts and has addressed them in the preamble published on December 3, 1982.

(2) In the event that the annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility exceeds the annual evaporation, a volume of water equivalent to the difference between annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility and annual evaporation may be discharged subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.

(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, there shall be no discharge of process wastewater to navigable waters from mills which extract gold or silver by use of the cyanidation process. The Agency recognizes that the elimination of the discharge of pollutants to navigable waters may result in an increase in discharges of some pollutants to other media. The Agency has considered these impacts and has addressed them in the preamble published on December 3, 1982.

(2) In the event that the annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility exceeds the annual evaporation, a volume of water equivalent to the difference between annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility and annual evaporation may be discharged subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.

(e) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines producing 5,000 metric tons (5,512 short tons) or more of molybdenum bearing ores per year shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

TSS

30

20

Cd

.10

.05

Cu

.3

.15

Zn

1.0

.5

Pb

.6

.3

As

1.0

.5

pH

(1)

(1)

1Within the range of 6.0 to 9.0

(f) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines producing less than 5,000 metric tons (5,512 short tons) or discharged from mills processing less than 5,000 metric tons (5,512 short tons) of molybdenum ores per year by methods other than ore leaching shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

TSS

50

30

pH

(1)

(1)

1Within the range 6.0 to 9.0.

(g) The concentration of pollutants discharged from mills processing 5,000 metric tons (5,512 short tons) or more of molybdenum ores per year by purely physical methods including ore crushing, washing, jigging, heavy media separation shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily value for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

TSS

30

20

Cd

.10

.05

Cu

.30

.15

Zn

1.0

.5

As

1.0

.5

pH

(1)

(1)

1Within the range 6.0 to 9.0

(h) The concentration of pollutants discharged from mills processing 5,000 metric tons (5,512 short tons) or more of molybdenum ores per year by froth flotation methods shall not exceed:

§440.103 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part and 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart must achieve the following effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines that produce copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, or molybdenum bearing ores or any combination of these ores from open-pit or underground operations other than placer deposits shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

Cu

0.30

0.15

Zn

1.5

0.75

Pb

0.6

0.3

Hg

0.002

0.001

Cd

0.10

0.05

(b) The concentration of pollutants discharged from mills that use the froth-flotation process alone, or in conjunction with other processes, for the beneficiation of copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, or molybdenum ores or any combination of these ores shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

Cu

0.30

0.15

Zn

1.0

0.5

Pb

0.6

0.3

Hg

0.002

0.001

Cd

0.10

0.05

(c)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, there shall be no discharge of process wastewater to navigable waters from mine areas and mills processes and areas that use dump, heap, in situ leach or vat-leach processes to extract copper from ores or ore waste materials. The Agency recognizes that the elimination of the discharge of pollutants to navigable waters may result in an increase in discharges of some pollutants to other media. The Agency has considered these impacts and has addressed them in the preamble published on December 3, 1982.

(2) In the event that the annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility exceeds the annual evaporation, a volume of water equal to the difference between annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility and annual evaporation may be discharged subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.

(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, there shall be no discharge of process wastewater to navigable waters from mills that use the cyanidation process to extract gold or silver. The Agency recognizes that the elimination of the discharge of pollutants to navigable waters may result in an increase in discharges of some pollutants to other media. The Agency has considered these impacts and has addressed them in the preamble published on December 3, 1982.

(2) In the event that the annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility exceeds the annual evaporation, a volume of water equal to the difference between annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility and annual evaporation may be discharged subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.

§440.104 New source performance standards (NSPS).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part any new source subject to this subsection must achieve the following NSPS representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available demonstrated technology (BADT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines that produce copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, or molybdenum bearing ores or any combination of these ores from open-pit or underground operations other than placer deposits shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

Cu

0.30

0.15

Zn

1.5

0.75

Pb

0.6

0.3

Hg

0.002

0.001

Cd

0.10

0.05

pH

(1)

(1)

TSS

30.0

20.0

1Within the range 6.0 to 9.0.

(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, there shall be no discharge of process wastewater to navigable waters from mills that use the froth-flotation process alone, or in conjunction with other processes, for the beneficiation of copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, or molybdenum ores or any combination of these ores. The Agency recognizes that the elimination of the discharge of pollutants to navigable waters may result in an increase in discharges of some pollutants to other media. The Agency has considered these impacts and has addressed them in the preamble published on December 3, 1982.

(2)(i) In the event that the annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility exceeds the annual evaporation, a volume of water equal to the difference between annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility and annual evaporation may be discharged subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.

(ii) In the event there is a build up of contaminants in the recycle water which significantly interferes with the ore recovery process and this interference can not be eliminated through appropriate treatment of the recycle water, the permitting authority may allow a discharge of process wastewater in an amount necessary to correct the interference problem after installation of appropriate treatment. This discharge shall be subject to the limitations of paragraph (a) of this section. The facility shall have the burden of demonstrating to the permitting authority that the discharge is necessary to eliminate interference in the ore recovery process and that the interference could not be eliminated through appropriate treatment of the recycle water.

(c)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, there shall be no discharge of process wastewater to navigable waters from mine areas and mills processes and areas that use dump, heap, in-situ leach or vat-leach processes to extract copper from ores or ore waste materials. The Agency recognizes that the elimination of the discharge of pollutants to navigable waters may result in an increase in discharges of some pollutants to other media. The Agency has considered these impacts and has addressed them in the preamble published on December 3, 1982.

(2) In the event that the annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility exceeds the annual evaporation, a volume of water equal to the difference between annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility and annual evaporation may be discharged subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.

(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, there shall be no discharge of process wastewater to navigable waters from mills that use the cyanidation process to extract gold or silver. The Agency recognizes that the elimination of the discharge of pollutants to navigable waters may result in an increase in discharges of some pollutants to other media. The Agency has considered these impacts and has addressed them in the preamble published on December 3, 1982.

(2) In the event that the annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility exceeds the annual evaporation, a volume of water equal to the difference between annual precipitation falling on the treatment facility and the drainage area contributing surface runoff to the treatment facility and annual evaporation may be discharged subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.

[47 FR 54609, Dec. 3, 1982, as amended at 53 FR 18788, May 24, 1988]

Effective Date Note: Paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of §440.104, published at 47 FR 54609, Dec. 3, 1982, contains information collection and recordkeeping equirements and will not become effective until approval has been given by the Office of Management and Budget.

§440.112 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT). [Reserved]

§440.113 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).

Except as provided in subpart L of this part and 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart must achieve the following effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in mine drainage from mines that produce platinum bearing ores from open-pit or underground operations other than placer deposits shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristic

Effluent limitations

Maximum for any 1 day

Average of daily values for 30 consecutive days

Milligrams per liter

Cu

0.30

0.15

Zn

1.5

0.75

Pb

0.6

0.3

Hg

0.002

0.001

Cd

0.10

0.05

(b) The concentration of pollutants discharged from mills that use the froth-flotation process alone, or in conjunction with other processes, for the beneficiation of platinum ores shall not exceed:

§440.115 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best conventional pollutant control technology (BTC). [Reserved]

Subpart L—General Provisions and Definitions

§440.130 Applicability.

Abbreviations and methods of analysis set forth in 40 CFR part 401 shall apply to part 440 except as provided in these general provisions and definitions. The general provisions and definitions in this subpart apply to all subparts of part 440 unless otherwise noted.

§440.131 General provisions.

(a) Combined waste streams. In the event that waste streams from various subparts or segments of subparts in part 440 are combined for treatment and discharge, the quantity and concentration of each pollutant or pollutant property in the combined discharge that is subject to effluent limitations shall not exceed the quantity and concentration of each pollutant or pollutant property that could have been discharged had each waste stream been treated separately. In addition, the discharge flow from the combined discharge shall not exceed the volume that could have been discharged had each waste stream been treated separately.

(b) Storm exemption for facilities permitted to discharge. If, as a result of precipitation or snowmelt, a source with an allowable discharge under 40 CFR part 440 has an overflow or excess discharge of effluent which does not meet the limitations of 40 CFR part 440, the source may qualify for an exemption from such limitations with respect to such discharge if the following conditions are met:

(1) The facility is designed, constructed and maintained to contain the maximum volume of wastewater which would be generated by the facility during a 24-hour period without an increase in volume from precipitation and the maximum volume of wastewater resulting from a 10-year, 24-hour precipitation event or treat the maximum flow associated with these volumes. In computing the maximum volume of wastewater which would result from a 10-year, 24-hour precipitation event, the facility must include the volume which would result from all areas contributing runoff to the individual treatment facility, i.e., all runoff that is not diverted from the active mining area and runoff which is not diverted from the mill area.

(2) The facility takes all reasonable steps to maintain treatment of the wastewater and minimize the amount of overflow.

(3) The facility complies with the notification requirements of §122.60 (g) and (h). The storm exemption is designed to provide an affirmative defense to an enforcement action. Therefore, the operator has the burden of demonstrating to the appropriate authority that the above conditions have been met.

(c) Storm exemption for facilities not permitted to discharge. If, as a result of precipitation (rainfall or snowmelt), a source which is not permitted to discharge under 40 CFR part 440, has an overflow or discharge which violates the limitations of 40 CFR part 440, the source may qualify for an exemption from such limitations with respect to such discharge if the following conditions are met:

(1) The facility is designed, constructed, and maintained to contain the maximum volume of wastewater stored and contained by the facility during normal operating conditions without an increase in volume from precipitation and the maximum volume of wastewater resulting from a 10-year, 24-hour precipitation event. In computing the maximum volume of wastewater which would result from a 10-year, 24-hour precipitation event, the facility must include the volume which would result from all areas contributing runoff to the individual treatment facility, i.e., all runoff that is not diverted from the area or process subject to zero discharge, and other runoff that is allowed to commingle with the influent to the treatment system.

(2) The facility takes all reasonable steps to minimize the overflow or excess discharge.

(3) The facility complies with the notification requirements of §122.60(g) and (h). The storm exemption is designed to provide an affirmative defense to an enforcement action. Therefore, the operator has the burden of demonstrating to the appropriate authority that the above conditions have been met.

(d) pH adjustment. (1) Where the application of neutralization and sedimentation technology to comply with relevant metal limitations results in an inability to comply with the pH range of 6 to 9, the permit issuer may allow the pH level in the final effluent to slightly exceed 9.0 so that the copper, lead, zinc, mercury, and cadmium limitations will be achieved.

(2) In the case of a discharge into natural receiving waters for which the pH, if unaltered by human activities, is or would be less than 6.0 and approved water quality standards authorize such lower pH, the pH limitations for the discharge may be adjusted downward to the pH water quality criterion for the receiving waters provided the other effluent limitations for the discharge are met. In no case shall a pH limitation below 5.0 be permitted.

(e) Groundwater infiltration provision. In the event a new source subject to a no discharge requirement can demonstrate that groundwater infiltration contributes a substantial amount of water to the tailing impoundment or wastewater holding facility, the permitting authority may allow the discharge of a volume of water equivalent to the amount of groundwater infiltration. This discharge shall be subject to the limitations for mine drainage applicable to the new source subcategory.

§440.132 General definitions.

(a) “Active mining area” is a place where work or other activity related to the extraction, removal, or recovery of metal ore is being conducted, except, with respect to surface mines, any area of land on or in which grading has been completed to return the earth to desired contour and reclamation work has begun.

(b) “Annual precipitation” and “annual evaporation” are the mean annual precipitation and mean annual lake evaporation, respectively, as established by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Environmental Science Services Administration, Environmental Data Services, or equivalent regional rainfall and evaporation data.

(c) “Appropriate treatment of the recycle water” in subpart J, §440.104 includes, but is not limited to pH adjustment, settling and pH adjustment, settling, and mixed media filtration.

(d) “Groundwater infiltration” in §440.131 means that water which enters the treatment facility as a result of the interception of natural springs, aquifers, or run-off which percolates into the ground and seeps into the treatment facility's tailings pond or wastewater holding facility and that cannot be diverted by ditching or grouting the tailings pond or wastewater holding facility.

(e) “In-situ leach methods” means the processes involving the purposeful introduction of suitable leaching solutions into a uranium ore body to dissolve the valuable minerals in place and the purposeful leaching of uranium ore in a static or semistatic condition either by gravity through an open pile, or by flooding a confined ore pile. It does not include the natural dissolution of uranium by ground waters, the incidental leaching of uranium by mine drainage, nor the rehabilitation of aquifiers and the monitoring of these aquifiers.

(f) “Mill” is a preparation facility within which the metal ore is cleaned, concentrated, or otherwise processed before it is shipped to the customer, refiner, smelter, or manufacturer. A mill includes all ancillary operations and structures necessary to clean, concentrate, or otherwise process metal ore, such as ore and gangue storage areas and loading facilities.

(g) “Mine” is an active mining area, including all land and property placed under, or above the surface of such land, used in or resulting from the work of extracting metal ore or minerals from their natural deposits by any means or method, including secondary recovery of metal ore from refuse or other storage piles, wastes, or rock dumps and mill tailings derived from the mining, cleaning, or concentration of metal ores.

(h) “Mine drainage” means any water drained, pumped, or siphoned from a mine.

(i) “Ten (10)-year, 24-hour precipitation event” is the maximum 24-hour precipitation event with a probable recurrence interval of once in 10 years as established by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, or equivalent regional or rainfall probability information.

(j) “U” (Uranium) is measured by the procedure discussed in 40 CFR 141.25(b)(2), or an equivalent method.

Subpart M—Gold Placer Mine Subcategory

(a) The provisions of this subpart M are applicable to discharges from—

(1) Mines and dredges that produce gold or gold bearing ores from placer deposits; and

(2) The beneficiation processes which use gravity separation methods for recovering gold from placer deposits.

(b) The provisions of this subpart M are not applicable to any mines or beneficiation processes which process less than 1500 cubic yards (cu yd) of ore per year, or to dredges which process less than 50,000 cu yd of ore per year, or to dredges located in open waters (i.e., open bays, marine waters, or major rivers).

§440.141 Specialized definitions and provisions.

For the purpose of this subpart M, the general definitions, abbreviations, methods of analysis, and general provisions set forth in 40 CFR part 401 shall apply except as superseded by those below. The general provisions and definitions set forth in 40 CFR part 440, subpart L, shall not apply to this subpart.

(a) Specialized definitions. The following specialized definitions apply to this subpart only.

(1) “Beneficiation area” means the area of land used to stockpile ore immediately before the beneficiation process, the area of land used for the beneficiation process, the area of land used to stockpile the tailings immediately after the beneficiation process, and the area of land from the stockpiled tailings to the treatment system (e.g., holding pond or settling pond, and the area of the treatment system).

(2) “Beneficiation process” means the dressing or processing of gold bearing ores for the purpose of—

(i) Regulating the size of, or recovering, the ore or product,

(ii) Removing unwanted constituents from the ore, and

(iii) Improving the quality, purity, or assay grade of a desired product.

(4) “Dredge” means a self-contained combination of an elevating excavator (e.g., bucket line dredge), the beneficiation or gold-concentrating plant, and a tailings disposal plant, all mounted on a floating barge.

(5) “Five (5) year, 6-hour precipitation event” means the maximum 6-hour precipitation event with a probable recurrence interval of once in 5 years as established by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, or equivalent regional or rainfall probability information.

(6) “Gravity separation methods” means the treatment of mineral particles which exploits differences between their specific gravities. The separation is usually performed by means of sluices, jigs, classifiers, spirals, hydrocyclones, or shaking tables.

(7) “Infiltration water” means that water which permeates through the earth into the plant site.

(8) “Mine” means a place where work or other activity related to the extraction or recovery of ore is performed.

(9) “Mine area” means the land area from which overburden is stripped and ore is removed prior to moving the ore to the beneficiation area.

(10) “Mine drainage” means any water drained, pumped or siphoned from a mine.

(11) “New water” means water from any discrete source such as a river, creek, lake or well which is deliberately allowed or brought into the plant site.

(12) “Open cut mine” means any form of recovery of ore from the earth except by a dredge.

(13) “Ore” means gold placer deposit consisting of metallic gold-bearing gravels, which may be: residual, from weathering of rocks in-situ; river gravels in active streams; river gravels in abandoned and often buried channels; alluvial fans; sea-beaches; and sea-beaches now elevated and inland. Ore is the raw “bank run” material measured in place, before being moved by mechanical or hydraulic means to a beneficiation process.

(14) “Permit area” means the area of land specified or referred to in an NPDES permit in which active mining and related activities may occur that result in the discharge regulated under the terms of the permit. Usually this is specifically delineated in an NPDES permit or permit application, but in other cases may be ascertainable from an Alaska Tri-agency permit application or similar document specifying the mine location, mining plan and similar data.

(15) “Plant site” means the area occupied by the mine, necessary haulage ways from the mine to the beneficiation process, the beneficiation area, the area occupied by the wastewater treatment facilities and the storage areas for waste materials and solids removed from the wastewaters during treatment.

(16) “Process wastewater” means all water used in and resulting from the beneficiation process, including but not limited to the water used to move the ore to and through the beneficiation process, the water used to aid in classification, and the water used in gravity separation, mine drainage, and infiltration and drainage waters which commingle with mine drainage or waters resulting from the beneficiation process.

(17) “Settleable solids” means the particulate material (both organic or inorganic) which will settle in one hour expressed in milliliters per liter (ml/l) as determined using an Imhoff cone and the method described for Residue—Settleable in 40 CFR part 136.

(b) Specialized provisions—storm exemption. This specialized provision applies to this subpart M only. If, as a result of precipitation (rainfall or snowmelt), a source subject to this subpart has an overflow or discharge of effluent which does not meet the limitations or standards of this subpart, the source may qualify for an exemption from such limitations and standards with respect to such discharge if the following conditions are met:

(1) The treatment system is designed, constructed, and maintained to contain the maximum volume of untreated process wastewater which would be discharged, stored, contained and used or recycled by the beneficiation process into the treatment system during a 4-hour operating period without an increase in volume from precipitation or infiltration, plus the maximum volume of water runoff resulting from a 5-year, 6-hour precipitation event. In computing the maximum volume of water which would result from a 5-year, 6-hour precipitation event, the operator must include the volume which would result from the plant site contributing runoff to the individual treatment facility.

(2) The operator takes all reasonable steps to maintain treatment of the wastewater and minimize the amount of overflow.

(3) The source is in compliance with the BMP in §140.148 and related provisions of its NPDES permit.

(4) The operator complies with the notification requirements of §122.41 (m) and (n) of this title. The storm exemption is designed to provide an affirmative defense to an enforcement action. Therefore, the operator has the burden of demonstrating to the appropriate authority that the above conditions have been met.

§440.142 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT).

Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30-125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart must achieve the following effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT):

(a) The concentration of pollutants discharged in process wastewater from an open-cut mine plant site shall not exceed:

Effluent limitations

Effluent characteristics

Instantaneous maximum

Settleable solids

0.2 ml/l

(b) The concentration of pollutants discharged in process wastewater from a dredge plant site shall not exceed:

§440.143 Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).

Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30-125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart must achieve the following effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).

(a) The volume of process wastewater which may be discharged from an open-cut mine plant site shall not exceed the volume of infiltration, drainage and mine drainage waters which is in excess of the make up water required for operation of the beneficiation process. The concentration of pollutants in process wastewaters discharged from an open-cut mine plant site shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristics

Effluent limitations—Instantaneous maximum

Settleable solids

0.2 ml/l

(b) The volume of process wastewater which may be discharged from a dredge plant site shall not exceed the volume of infiltration, drainage and mine drainage waters which is in excess of the make up water required for operation of the beneficiation process. The concentration of pollutants in process wastewater discharged from a dredge plant site shall not exceed:

§440.144 New source performance standards (NSPS).

Any new source subject to this subpart must achieve the following NSPS representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available demonstrated technology:

(a) The volume of process wastewater which may be discharged from an open-cut mine plant site shall not exceed the volume of infiltration, drainage and mine drainage waters which is in excess of the make up water required for operation of the beneficiation process. The concentration of pollutants in process wastewaters discharged from an open-cut mine plant site shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristics

Effluent limitations—Instantaneous maximum

Settleable solids

0.2 ml/l

(b) The volume of process wastewater which may be discharged from a dredge plant site shall not exceed the volume of infiltration, drainage and mine drainage waters which is in excess of the make up water required for operation of the beneficiation process. The concentration of pollutants in process wastewater discharged from a dredge plant site shall not exceed:

Effluent characteristics

Effluent limitations—Instantaneous maximum

Settleable solids

0.2 ml/l

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Regional Administrator or Director of a State agency with authority to administer the NPDES program shall in designating new source gold placer mines, take into account and base the decision on whether one or more of the following factors has occurred after May 24, 1988.

(1) The mine will operate outside of the permit area which is covered by a currently valid NPDES Permit.

(2) The mine significantly alters the nature or quantity of pollutants discharged.

(3) The mine discharges into a stream into which it has not discharged under its currently valid NPDES permit.

(4) The mine will operate in a permit area that has not been mined during the term of the currently valid NPDES permit.

(5) Such other factors as the Regional Administrator or state Director deems relevant.

§§440.145-440.147 [Reserved]

§440.148 Best Management Practices (BMP).

The following best management practices are specific requirements which shall be included in each NPDES permit for all mining operations regulated under this subpart to the greatest extent applicable in each such mining operation.

(a) Surface water diversion: The flow of surface waters into the plant site shall be interrupted and these waters diverted around and away from incursion into the plant site.

(b) Berm construction: Berms, including any pond walls, dikes, low dams and similar water retention structures shall be constructed in a manner such that they are reasonably expected to reject the passage of water.

(c) Pollutant materials storage: Measures shall be taken to assure that pollutant materials removed from the process water and wastewater streams will be retained in storge areas and not discharged or released to the waters of the United States.

(d) New water control: The amount of new water allowed to enter the plant site for use in ore processing shall be limited to the minimum amount required as make-up water for processing operations.

(e) Maintenance of water control and solids retention devices: All water control devices such as diversion structures and berms and all solids retention structures such as berms, dikes, pond structures and dams shall be maintained to continue their effectiveness and to protect from unexpected and catastrophic failure.